Apologizes for the late update. It was large combination of finals and family related issues. It's good now and I'm out of school for winter which means updates will becoming much faster (I hope).
As you can probably tell, this chapter's title is based off of Benedict Cumberbatch's description of Khan ("One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.") I honestly felt that was an accurate and well-fitted description of what he's about so I wanted to include an element of it in this story.
Thanks as always for the continued support:
MidnightDarkskiesbluemoon: Thanks for the kick to update faster.
Ceasar-Flickerman: I'm glad my story makes you so excited.
Shadowplay27: I love your work as well and thank you so much for your kind words.
Much love and many thanks
Chapter 9: Terrorist or Freedom Fighter
Aria paced the captain's quarters, waiting for Kirk to join her and tell her what had happened to Khan. What was going on? Where had they taken him? When could she see him? Would she even be allowed to see him? Dressed in a sleek black uniform (for that was all that was available), Aria finally took a seat on the edge of Kirk's desk and ran her fingers through her short, messy mop of hair. 'No use in just letting my mind fill up with worry,' she thought, 'this is just a snag. Khan will fix this.'
She noticed a group of red shirts escorting her lover toward the brig when she was brought onboard, but he didn't look to her. Khan was completely stoned faced, unphased by the current predicament they were both in. Even though they never made direct eye contact, Aria knew that a plan was brewing in that magnificent, warrior's mind of his. He would find them a way out; they would be together again. For now, however, Aria had to wait; that seemed to be a common state for her these past few days.
Upon bringing her on board the Enterprise, Kirk instructed some of the crew members to escort her to the med-bay to be looked over, provide her with a shower and some clean clothes and then escort her straight his quarters where she was to rest. Kirk, as well as most of the crew it seemed, was under the impression that upon his attack in London, John Harrison had kidnapped Aria and was holding her prisoner. Aria thought this to be absolutely ridiculous but she played along. 'Play the part,' she kept telling herself, 'Play the part and you'll be with him soon.' So she kept her mouth shut and complied with Kirk's orders.
Inside it was killing her, though.
She didn't want this.
She wanted to be with Khan.
Suddenly, breaking her concentration, the doors of the captain's quarters slid open and Kirk stormed inside: "Damn it," he muttered under his breath as he walked over to his desk, "This…this is getting out of hand."
"What is?" Aria asked, putting on the façade of the woman Kirk had grown to fall for. He didn't reply, though. The flustered captain just shook his head and slammed his hands down on the desk. Aria took in a deep breath and slowly moved her hand atop one of his: "Jim," she said in the softest voice she could muster. He finally lifted his head and his sharp blue eyes met hers.
"I'm sorry," he said with a smirk, "I forgot you were here." Aria blushed and smiled at him. Kirk then leaned in close and gently brought his free hand to rest on the back of her neck; "What happened to your hair?" He asked, running his fingers through the short ends of her bob cut.
"I cut it. Going into hiding can make you do that." She replied, but then regretted it. 'Play the part, Aria. Play the part.'
"Is that what he told you; that you were going into hiding? " Jim asked, "Did Harrison force you to change your appearance so that no one could recognize you?"
"You're making it sound like he harmed me." Aria replied, "It's just a haircut, Jim."
"He tried to kill you, Rhi." He said, "I think this goes beyond a simple haircut."
Aria looked away and took in a sharp breath. She wanted to tell Kirk that he had no idea what he was talking about, that John Harrison was just a lie Marcus had created and that the real enemy was the admiral. Despite her heart being fully dedicated to Khan, Aria did think of Kirk as different compared to the rest of Starfleet; She couldn't quite place her finger on how, but she knew that he was. Perhaps she had developed a bit of sentiment for this man who had comforted her when she thought all was lost. Perhaps she did have some degree of feelings for him.
"Has…has he said anything?" she asked, nervously, "Kha-Commander Harrison, I mean."
"Yeah, actually, he did." He replied, become quite serious, "He seemed to already know about our wrap core malfunction which is discomforting. He's smart, Rhi, extremely smart. He isn't just some mindless killer. He's got some sort of plan winding up in that brain of his."
"What makes you say that?" Aria asked, curious that Kirk was catching on to Khan's intelligence.
"He gave me coordinates," He explained, "23 17 46 11. I've got Scotty to go and take a look, but I can't help but think that whatever he finds…it's just not going to be pretty."
Aria only just nodded. Those coordinates: they sounded familiar but she just couldn't place her finger on why. 'Another one of Marcus' secrets, no doubt.' She thought, 'Perhaps another tool in his big war scheme.'
"There was something else," he went on, "Harrison requested that we open one of the torpedoes we threatened him with. You wouldn't happen to have a clue as to why Harrison would ask us to do this would you?"
"No, I…I don't think I do." She replied nervously. Of course Aria knew why, but how was going to say so? Khan wanted one of the torpedoes to be opened so that he can confirm his hope that their crew was contained inside those weapons. 'This could be good thing.' Aria thought. If Kirk and his crew discovered this, then Aria and Khan would have to give up their façade and tell the truth about Marcus. Maybe then, Kirk would be their side.
"I've got Bones and Dr. Marcus heading down to one of the nearby planetoids to crack one open," he went on, "but I have no idea what they're going to find."
"Dr. Marcus?" Aria asked, "Whose that? New crew member?"
"Crazy story but yeah, in a way she is." He replied with a small smirk, "Carol Marcus, doctorate in advance weaponry. She's the Admiral's daughter, believe it or not."
In her mind, Aria started to panic. The Admiral's daughter: it couldn't be just a coincidence she was aboard the Enterprise. Marcus must have put her onboard so that if Khan and her were captured, she could give a direct report to her father. Aria's heart began to race; she needed to speak with Khan. He had to know what was happening.
Sensing her slight distress, Kirk gently cupped her face in his hands and nuzzled his forehead against hers: "I thought I was never going to see you again," he whispered, "I couldn't get you out of my head after that call I made from Nibiru. You sounded like you were in distress and I wanted to come save you. When we got back, I went to your apartment but it was completely empty. Then there was the bombing in London and I feared the worst. I saw your name on the list of the dead and…and I felt…God, I can't really describe it."
"Mr. Kirk, have you gone soft?" Aria teased, trying her best to swallow her discomfort, "That isn't like you."
"Is mourning the dead really considered going soft?" he asked, looking into her eyes, "I did mourn you, Rhi. Contrary to popular belief, I do have heart. That…murderer had taken so much away from not only me but from Starfleet as well. I don't know who this John Harrison thinks he is or why he did these things, but I promise you I will find out. I won't let him hurt you."
"But he didn't hurt me," Aria said, "He was never going to."
"I know that; you would have never let him." Kirk said with a chuckle, "You're brave, Aria Morrow. That's one of the reasons I care for you so much; you really are one of a kind." He then softly pressed his lips against hers in a kiss. She kissed him in return but on the inside, she hated second of this; it wasn't right, even if she was just playing a part. Her heart belonged to Khan not to this Starfleet captain.
Just as Aria was about to stop Kirk's lips from coming in for another kiss, the communicator on Kirk's desk began to beep: "Bridge to Captain Kirk. Sir?"
"Go ahead, Sulu." Jim replied, wrapping a protective arm around Aria's waist.
"Mr. Spock wanted me to tell you that Dr. McCoy and Dr. Marcus will be arriving at the planetoid in a few minutes."
"Thank you. I'll be up in sec. Kirk out."
With a smug smile, Kirk leaned in for another kiss but, not being able to stand it for a moment more, Aria set her hands against his chest and slowly pulled away from him: "I'm…I'm sorry," she said, looking down at the ground, "But I can't."
"No, no, I get it." He replied, gently moving his hands down her arms, "You've been through a lot. I understand."
"Do you?"
"Sure. I spoke with Harrison; he's one hell of a creepy guy. I can't imagine what sort of threats he put on you and I don't want to think about it."
"Threats? No, no, Jim you have got it all wrong." Aria said with a shake of her head. She couldn't do it anymore. This game was just to ridiculous for her to play. She wanted to give him a chance to see that the real criminal was Marcus not Khan. He needed to know the truth.
"Rhi, honey, talk to me." Jim said, taking her hands into his, "What did Harrison say to you?"
"Jim, don't you think that perhaps something else may be going on?" Aria asked, "Something far bigger than Harrison's attacks. Something more, I don't know, more internal that perhaps you don't know about?"
Kirk furrowed his brow and backed up a little from her: "What do you mean? What are you getting at?"
"I'm not getting at anything," she explained, "I'm only suggesting that maybe Harrison had a specific reason behind what he did. Maybe he's not a…"
"A what? A terrorist?" Kirk interrupted with a scoff, "Rhi, you're joking right? That man killed innocent Starfleet officers in cold blood. He bombed your facility and took you captive, for goodness sake."
"Do I look like I've been in captivity?" Aria challenged, letting her frustration getting the best of her, "Jim, listen to me. There is something else at work here; something that has been under your nose but you've been blind to it."
"I…I don't understand. What's this got to do with Harrison?"
"Everything!" she snapped, letting go of his hands, "Jim, I have seen things; Things that Admiral Marcus has wanted to keep hidden from the public eye. I know what this is all really about, Jim. I know…I know who John Harrison really is. He isn't a psychopath, he's-Frankly, Jim, what he's doing is the right thing. It may not be the most ethical course of action to take, but Marcus has left him no other choice. I know him, Jim, better than anyone."
Kirk just stared at her in utter confusion. This was not the Aria Morrow he knew. This was not the brave and strong woman who was once considered one of Starfleet's top agents. This woman was talking madness. Hidden agendas? Siding with the enemy? He could only think that Harrison had gotten to her; brainwashed her or had made her say these things in some way. No matter the cause, Kirk just knew that this was not his Aria.
"You don't know what your saying," he finally replied, "Rhi, you are a commanding officer of Starfleet. John Harrison killed innocent people, took you from your home…"
"He didn't take me, I chose to go with him." Aria confessed, "As I just said, I know him better than anyone. We…we go back."
"What? Are you school chums or something?"
"Jim, please be serious. If you could just let me see him, I can get him to explain to you…"
"No, no way. Not until I find out what inside that torpedo and figure out what he's up to. He's in the brig for a reason; I'm not going to let him hurt you."
"Haven't you realized yet that he won't?"
"Rhi, Harrison is a terrorist nor is he the man you may think him to be."
"Would you stop calling him that? And don't presume to tell me who he is: I. Know. Him. He is not a terrorist and his name is not Harrison! He is the only person I would trust with my life! I love him!"
Quickly realizing her mistake, Aria bit her lower lip and internally cursed herself. She didn't want to completely tell Kirk everything, not yet at least. She had to talk with Khan first and then together they could reveal their true identities. For now, however, she had to make up for her mistake. Without even daring to make eye contact with the befuddled Captain Kirk, Aria made her way to the door. Just before opening them, she stopped and said over her shoulder: "Look up John Harrison then look me up. Once you discover what's in those torpedoes and who we are…come find me."
She opened the doors and took off in a sprint toward the brig. She didn't really know why she was running, but at this moment she didn't care. Kirk didn't follow her and the other members of the Enterprise's crew didn't question her as she passed. Her mind was solely fixed on Khan and her need to see him quicken her feet. Using her vague memory of the ships layout (Kirk had brought her aboard before and gave her a grand tour), Aria made her way to the brig in a matter of minutes.
"Commander Morrow," the lieutenant standing guard said as she entered the white room, "the captain said that you were resting. We didn't expect…"
"Where is he?" she snapped, using her commanding officers voice, "The prisoner who was brought aboard along with me, where is he?"
The lieutenant simply pointed to the large glass window that looked into the cell at the back of the room. Inside the cell, sitting on a bench as still as stone and staring a head, was Khan. Just like Aria, he had showered and been given a clean black uniform to wear. His back was ramrod straight and his muscles were practically bulging out of the skintight fabric of his long sleeve shirt. He was deep in concentration, completely lost to the world around him but at the same time taking in every minuscule detail. Aria took in a sharp breath; to her, he looked strikingly beautiful.
"Let me in to see him," she said the lieutenant but not taking her eyes away from the cell.
"Commander?" the lieutenant asked, "That's…that's against…"
"That is an order, Lieutenant." She snapped, "Let me in." Reluctantly, the lieutenant escorted Aria the entrance of the cell, which was through a small door off the side. Khan didn't look up at the sound of their entrance. He seemed almost in a trance, staring straight ahead at nothing in particular. "Go, Lieutenant," Aria said, "Return to your post and do not tell the captain." The lieutenant nodded and left, closing the door behind him.
"I'm surprised he let you come," Khan said, his voice low, "Tell me: Did Kirk allow you to see me or have you come on your on will?"
"You know the answer to that." Aria replied in almost a whisper.
Khan turned his head and his sharp, piercing eyes met with hers. A small, almost untraceable, smile grew across his lips: "You couldn't keep lying," he said, "What did you tell him?"
"Only that there is something much worse at hand and that you were not the Admiral has told them you are."
"Did you tell him my name?"
"No. But there is something you should know: Marcus' daughter is onboard."
"By special orders from Marcus himself no doubt."
"My assumption exactly. What are we to do?"
"Be patient. The Admiral's daughter is not our problem right now."
Aria simply nodded and then continued: "I let it slip that I am on your side. I told Kirk that I loved you."
"Hmm, I suppose the captain didn't take that too well," Khan said with a tone of pride in his voice. He then slowly turned his left hand over, palm facing up, on his knee and made a small motion of his head for Aria to take a seat beside him. Wanting to be as close to him as possible, Aria went to his side and kneeled down beside him.
"I couldn't stay on the side any longer," she quietly said, taking his left hand into hers, "You told me when this started that I had to complete separate myself from Starfleet and I willing did so. I'm not going back to them, even if it means that I must take any blame in this. I won't leave your side, I made that promise long ago."
"That pride of yours will never fade, my lark, and for that I am glad" Khan replied in the same quite volume, "The thought of you standing beside that man was discomforting, to say the least. But he was going to keep you alive, that is what mattered to me."
"I don't care if Kirk is my chance of survival," Aria replied, "I love you."
"And I you, my lark, but now we must be careful." Khan whispered, gently intertwining his fingers with hers, "We can't be parted again."
Aria nodded in agreement and placed a soft kiss onto his hand. To her surprise, Khan took his free hand and rested his thumb over her chin. Slowly, he lifted her head and leaned forward slightly so that their lips could meet in a soft, but passionate kiss. This felt right to Aria, not at all like the kiss she had shared with Kirk moments ago. This was where she belonged, beside Khan.
Their kiss intensified slightly and Aria lifted her self so that she was now seated beside Khan rather than on the floor. They didn't care if the officers on the other side of the glass were watching them; they were all going to find out sooner or later anyway. When their lips finally did part, Aria rested her head against Khan's shoulder and closed her eyes.
"That lieutenant will ask me to leave," she whispered, gently stroking the side of Khan's leg.
"But you won't move will you, my lark?" he asked, kissing the top of her head.
"Never." She replied. Khan chuckled slightly then returned to his previous position of staring straight ahead. They remained in that peaceful silence for countless minutes.
Unfortunately, their bliss was broken by the sound of fast oncoming footsteps. Opening her eyes, Aria lifted her head and looked toward the glass. Standing there was Kirk and Spock, both just glaring at Khan who had yet to turn his gaze to them. Kirk's eyes only fleeted toward Aria for a moment, but she could see that this image was hurting him. Finally, he spoke addressing Khan:
"Why is there a man in that torpedo?"
